@balletmanilaarchives

From dancing in the rain to crying silently in the rain we all grew up.

Jul 30

Jul 30 Principal dancer Mark Sumaylo: Ballet is in the heart

Interviews

The principal dancer says that engaging in other activities such as redecorating their living space, playing games on an old PS4, and taking on photography assignments helped him deal with pandemic pressures so much better.

Jul 28

Jul 28 Ballet Manila Moments: Building bridges on pointe

Ballet Manila Moments

In an extraordinary collaboration with five dancers from two prestigious American ballet companies, Ballet Manila strengthened the ties between two cultures through a fund-raising show back in 2018.

Jul 23

Jul 23 Ballet Manila in full color: Slices of orange

Ballet Manila dazzles in orange.

Jul 22

Jul 22 Talk about dance: Xiaolu Guo

It’s the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.

Jul 20

Jul 20 ‘Lola Basyang’ from book to ballet

As National Children’s Book Day is celebrated today, July 20, we look back to that Filipino ballet classic’s beginnings in 2008.

Jul 19

Jul 19 Talk about dance: Emma Goldman

If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.

Jul 16

Jul 16 From the Mailbox: Preserving Filipino heritage through dance

From the Mailbox

At its first stop in Ohio, Ballet Manila received citations from local officials, notably the state governor and the city mayor.

Jul 14

Jul 14 Ballet Manila Moments: Remaking a pirate ballet

Ballet Manila Moments

Not only did Marius Petipa revise the swashbuckling adventure’s key dances but also introduced two new dance numbers.

Jul 13

Jul 13 Don Quixote: Mercedes and Espada take centerstage

Spotlight On The Classics

Of the many minor characters in the lengthy roster of Don Quixote the ballet, no one heats up the dance floor like Mercedes and Espada do.

Jul 9

Jul 9 Ballet Manila in full color: Pretty in pink

Ballet Manila blushes in pink.

Jul 7

Jul 7 From the Mailbox: ‘Thru dance, how you honor the Creator!’

From the Mailbox

The transcription below is of a thank-you letter from Sr. Violeta, FdCC, of the Canossian Sisters, addressed to Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

Jul 5

Jul 5 Don Quixote: Titular character in the shadows

Spotlight On The Classics

A noble man from La Mancha is the unlikely hero in renowned Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes’ masterpiece, The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha.

Jul 2

Jul 2 This Month in BM History: July 1998

This Month In BM History

Touted as the “most popular ballet roadshow ever,” Ballet & Ballads headed for Northern Luzon in July 1998 for a show at the Don Alipio Fernandez Astrodome in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Jul 1

Jul 1 Talk about dance: Gwen Smith

To sprinkle special on our ordinary days, we add music. We sing. We dance.

Jun 26

Jun 26 8 things about Agrippina Vaganova

Prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde attributes her 30-year career in classical dance to the Vaganova technique which she learned in Russia.

Jun 25

Jun 25 Don Quixote: Charming Basilio is equal to the task

Spotlight On The Classics

But unlike other ballet princes, Basilio was not just a supporting partner to Kitri. He was an equally prominent figure in both the narrative and the choreography.

Jun 20

Jun 20 Cesar Macuja: Ballet Manila’s father for all seasons

He may be “Dad” to prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, but for the extended family that is Ballet Manila, Cesar Macuja is also looked up to as a second father.

Jun 20

Jun 20 For principal dancer Gerardo Francisco, being ‘Dad’ is the greatest role ever